Two Taxicab Passengers Killed Early Today in Collision with Stolen Jeep

Update: The taxicab passengers killed as a result of this morning’s crash are identified as Kirk Granfors, 64, and his wife, Kathy Granfors, 68, of Jacksonville, Florida.

The two taxicab passengers killed in today’s 2:40 a.m. collision at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Demonbreun Street caused by a speeding stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee are a man and woman believed to be from Florida. Confirmation of their identities is pending.

The taxi in which they were riding, a Toyota van, was traveling west on Demonbreun Street and, according to witnesses, had the green light at the 12th Avenue intersection. The Jeep, traveling at a high rate of speed south on 12th Avenue, collided with the passenger side door of the taxi. The female rear seat passenger died at the scene. The male rear seat passenger was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died. The 37-year-old taxi driver was transported to Vanderbilt with non-life-threatening injuries.

It has not yet been determined how many persons were in the Jeep, as only one remained at the scene when officers arrived. That man, George A. Chaney, 37, of Nashville, attempted to flee on foot, but was unable due to his injuries. Chaney, who is presently suspected of being the Jeep driver, is hospitalized at Vanderbilt and will be arrested upon his discharge on a state parole violation warrant.

Chaney was sentenced in April 2019 to two concurrent 12-year sentences for heroin convictions. He registered with the MNPD as an ex-con on parole in February 2024. He was arrested last month, on March 2, on charges of felony reckless endangerment with a vehicle, evading arrest, auto theft, reckless driving, altering a license tag, and driving on a suspended license. That case involved a Dodge Charger stolen out of Kentucky that fled from officers at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The car had a fake temp tag. A judicial commissioner set Chaney’s bond at $49,000 and he was subsequently released from jail. The state issued a parole violation warrant due to those charges on March 20. Chaney has a lengthy arrest history dating back 19 years. Charges against Chaney in relation to this morning’s events are pending the continuing investigation and consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee involved in this morning’s crash was stolen from an 8th Avenue South apartment garage in Berry Hill in February. It was red when it was taken, but had been spraypainted black.